KCBike.Info » safety

More on fatality of William E. Bickel

Eric — Tue, 10 May 2011 19:29:36 +0000

KSHB-TV has a follow up on the death of William E. Bickel in rural Clay County. Unfortunately there isn’t much new information about how an experienced cyclist allegedly hit a parked car in broad daylight.

Kansas texting ban starts today, will Missouri follow?

Eric — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 16:42:44 +0000

A happy New Years Day present for traffic safety in Kansas. Today the Kansas texting-while-driving ban goes into effect for anyone of any age. The $60-100 fine also applies when stopped at a stop sign or red light. Texting is also a primary offense, which means police can pull someone over for texting without observing any other violation.

Missouri’s two year-old texting ban only applies to people under 21, despite several efforts to extend it to all ages. This year there are already two bills filed in the General Assembly to try again, House Bill 90 and Senate Bill 11.

Back-in angle parking debuts in the Crossroads

Eric — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 18:03:14 +0000

Photo by Rick Usher.

The city’s first modern test of back-in angle parking has just opened on McGee Street in Downtown’s Crossroads Arts District. Flipping the outdated head-in angle parking is a growing movement across the country because it greatly increases safety for bicyclists and even reduces crashes for motorists.

The official ribbing cutting is Tuesday, November 30th at 2:00 p.m. near 18th and McGee, but the new parking spaces are open for use right now.

More photos from Rick Usher, the City Manager’s Downtown development coordinator and a bike commuter.

The back story

The Crossroads pilot project is the result of a June 2009 controversy where a developer objected to the City’s request to use back-in angle parking on a designated bike route on 5th Street in Columbus Park. The compromise reached called for the city to pilot test back-in angle parking before requiring it on 5th Street. 4th District Councilmember Beth Gottstein stepped up help find a suitable location and work with city staff to implement a pilot project. The Crossroads Community Association embraced the opportunity to host the city’s first back-in angle parking as part of its efforts to make the neighborhood safer for all street users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.

If this new-fangled contraption doesn’t bring about the end of the world, we can hopefully look forward safer angle parking elsewhere in the city.

Previous KCBike.Info coverage of angle parking.

More on murdered cyclist Earl Ricks, a.k.a. The Bike Man

Eric — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 16:35:36 +0000

Fox 4 has a more in-depth story of Earl Ricks, the cyclist who was gunned down Sunday evening.

Earl was known as “the Bike Man” and was a fixture in his East Side neighborhood, always riding around town and fixing local kids’ bikes. So far police have little information and are asking the community to step up with information that might point towards the murderer(s). Anyone with info is asked to contact the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS, online at www.kccrimestoppers.com, or texting TIP452 plus your message to CRIMES (274637).

Earl V. Ricks, cyclist apparently gunned down

Eric — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 12:49:14 +0000

While there aren’t many details yet, and not all media reports are sure he was even on a bicycle, 33 year-old Earl V. Ricks was shot and killed yesterday evening. The murder happened around 6:00 p.m. Sunday near 34th and Bellefontaine in an East Side residential neighborhood near Central High School. There is no indication whether or not the man was targeted because of his mode of transportation. Police are looking for a 1999 or 2000 silver Pontiac Grand Am.

Independence unanimously adopts anti-harassment ordinance

Eric — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 00:59:06 +0000

Tonight the Independence, MO City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance specifically prohibiting harassment of bicyclists, pedestrians, and wheelchair users. Councilman Jim Schultz sponsored the ordinance modeled on those in Greenwood and Columbia, MO. The Council was very supportive of increasing safety for all roadway users and actually lamented that state law limits the fine and jail time the city can levy under municipal law. Councilman Myron Paris spoke of his experience being purposefully hit by a motorist while bicycling, and Councilman Will Swoffer mentioned friends and family who had been harassed while bicycling.

The Independence Examiner has more coverage of the City Council discussion.

Independence is now the largest Missouri city with an anti-harassment law on the books. Councilman Schultz will be riding BikeMS this weekend, so if you see him be sure to say thanks!

Ride to Independence City Council meeting tonight

Eric — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 12:49:41 +0000

If you live, work, or ride in Independence (or anywhere in Eastern Jackson County), please join us this evening as we ride to the Independence City Hall. The City Council will vote an ordinance banning harassment of bicyclists, pedestrians, and the disabled.

Meet up at the Englewood Theater at 5:15 p.m. Get the details here.

Independence City Council considers anti-harassment ordinance

Eric — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 21:27:58 +0000

On September 20th the Independence City Council will vote on a new ordinance to prohibit the harassment of bicyclists, pedestrians, and wheelchair users. The ordinance sponsored by City Councilman Jim Schultz would make Independence the third Missouri city to explicitly ban harassment. Columbia and the KC suburb of Greenwood were the first and second cities.

Ride with us to the City Council meeting
KCBike.Info and the Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation will lead a ride to City Hall to watch the vote. We will meet at the Englewood Theater at 5:15 p.m. (map) and leave no later than 5:20 p.m. It will be a short ride on low traffic city streets.

The City Council meets at 6:00 p.m. on September 20th at the City Hall, 111 East Maple Street. Please take a minute to email the Mayor and Council in support of Ordinance 10-143.

Coverage of Greenwood anti-harassment ordinance.

Last week: One cyclist dead, one intentionally hit

Eric — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 02:12:35 +0000

We’re just now hearing some bad news from last week…

On Sunday August 29th Kenneth R. Holmes was hit and killed by Kenneth R. Schafer on Route 58 between Stasburg and Kingsville in rural Cass County (map). While the motorist has been identified, there is no information yet on arrest or criminal charges. It appears that Shafer was attempting to overtake and pass Holmes when he hit him on stretch of road that does not have shoulders but does have good sight lines. Holmes is the third fatality of the year in the KC metro area. Visitation is 10:00 AM Saturday and funeral follows at 11:00AM at Grace United Methodist Church, 2400 E 50 Highway in Lees Summit, MO.

Then on Friday in Warrensburg, Michael Martin was hit and seriously injured in what police say was likely an intentional act of violence by the motorist. The motorist fled the scene, but police do have a lead and are treating the crime seriously. Touring cyclist Matt Cazalas of Kirkwood, MO happened upon the crash scene while passing through Warrensburg.

Husband and Wife hit in Overland Park

Eric — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:54:04 +0000

A husband and wife were hit by an SUV at 133rd and Nall in southern Overland Park around 8:00 a.m. this morning. Police are investigating, and news media is reporting conflicting information. We’ll post updates as we have them.

KMBC-TV 9 reports the couple are in the forties and were traveling westbound on 133rd when they were struck by a vehicle making a left turn from southbound Nall. KMBC also reports the motorist claims he “didn’t see” the cyclists has not been ticketed pending the police investigation.

Meanwhile, KCTV-5 says the cyclists were going east and the SUV was going west on 133rd. KCTV also says that while both cyclists were wearing helmets, the husband is at Overland Park Regional Hospital with a head injury. The wife seems to have only minor injuries.